The Falcons Offense has a slight edge over the Seahawks Defense
Falcons Offense vs. Seahawks Defense.
The Falcons offense ranks first in total offense (457.4 yards per game), passing yards (333.4 YPG) and points per game (35 points). The Falcons offense is also seventh in rushing (124 YPG). Meanwhile the Seahawks defense has allowed the least amount of yards per game (264 YPG), second least passing yards per game (183.3YPG), third least amount of points given up per game (13.5 PPG) and seventh least rushing yards per game (80.2 YPG). (All statistics are from NFL.com)
Falcons Offensive line vs. Seahawks Defensive line
The Falcons offensive line have the most talent they have had since the 2012 season, and it may be better. They have one of the best tackle duos in the league with Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder to go along with two solid guards who have been outperforming their 2015 play in Andy Levitre and Chris Chester.
That has to do mostly with arguably one of the Falcons best free agent signings ever, Alex Mack. The former three time Pro-bowler and All-Pro has help transform the Falcons offensive line that last year. They had many breakdowns, costly penalties, and poor snapping. Mack has helped transform the line to one of the top ten in all of football. Not to mention they have lead what has been the number one offense through the first 5 weeks of the season.
The Seahawks defensive line is no picnic either. Lead by 2015 Pro-Bowler Michael Bennett who plays everywhere for Head Coach Pete Carroll. Keep an eye on Frank Clark who is tied with Bennett for the most sacks on the ‘Hawks with three. Cliff Avril, who has two sacks and a force fumble, will most likely match up with Jake Matthews which could be an X-factor in whether or not Matt Ryan gets the time in the pocket he has been getting over the first five weeks.
The Falcons should have a slight advantage here although this could go either way.
Falcons Skill positions vs. Seahawks Linebackers and Defensive Backs
“Well, if everybody goes and gets a Coleman, then they’ve got the blueprint. Good luck,” cracked cornerback Aqib Talib.
Last week Tevin Coleman only had 10 touches yet still came up with 163 yards from scrimmage or 16.3 yards per touch. Coleman earned praise from former Pro-Bowl corner Aqib Talib. Devonta Freeman is also has been performing great. While Freeman lacks Coleman’s explosiveness he does have great vision. Which is why Freeman is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The Seahawks have Bobby Wagner who is one of the better middle linebackers in the NFL. Wagner will be able to match up with Coleman and Freeman much better than any of the Broncos linebackers. The Seahawks Outside Linebacker K.J. Wright is a pretty good player but a bit slow so the Falcons could look to attack him in the pass game with the tight ends.
The Falcons pass catching tight ends have been off to a great start in 2016. Jacob Tamme is second on the team in receptions at 17 for 158 yards along with two touchdowns, he has been Matt Ryan’s security blanket so far this year while the Falcons 3rd round rookie TE Austin Hooper seems to always be uncovered when he is thrown at. Despite only having 6 catches this year, Hooper has 154 yards and a TD.
The Falcons also have this guy named Julio Jones who has had a pretty decent season (517 yards and three touchdowns). All jokes aside, Jones will more than likely be shadowed by star cornerback Richard Sherman. Sherman had two interceptions, however, Sherman did struggle against Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall at times last week and allowed four catches for 89 yards and a TD (Per Pro Football Focus).
Final Thoughts:
The Seahawks defense will be facing it’s first real challenge of the season. Meanwhile the Falcons just faced the “No Fly Zone” in Denver and played pretty well by using their running backs as mismatches against their linebackers. I have to give the slight edge to the Falcons.